Echinacea purpurea and Uncaria tomentosa reduce the prevalence of WSSV in witheleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured under laboratory conditions

The effect of Echinacea purpurea and Uncaria tomentosa on growth performance, survival, WSSV prevalence, and immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Powder of plants (PP) was sprayed onto feed (Nutrimentos Acuícolas Azteca S.A. de C.V.®, 35% protein) at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 g kg feed- 1. A bioassay, performed with treatments in triplicate, was conducted for 30 days. Feed supplemented with plants did not enhance growth and survival. However, PP decreased the prevalence of WSSV in shrimp treated (83.3, 50.0, 16.6, and 8.3%) as compared with the control group (100%). The PP significantly increased the activity of phenoloxidase in plasma in shrimp fed 4 g kg feed- 1. The results indicate that PP at concentrations of 2.0 and 4.0 g kg feed- 1 is a suitable feed additive against WSSV in shrimp with low viral load.

► This study evaluated the effect of medicinal plants in Litopenaeus vannamei. ► Echinacea purpurea and Uncaria tomentosa reduces prevalence of WSSV in infected shrimp. ► Echinacea purpurea and Uncaria tomentosa are good candidates to be used as feed additives in shrimp culture.